Can AI prepare a tax return—and catch errors the software misses? Blake shares how Claude Cowork reconciled books, built workpapers, and completed two business returns, while David examines EY’s bonuses for human judgment, Deloitte’s $21 million DEI settlement, and PwC’s Evergrande exposure. Plus, Cloud Accountant Staffing’s Jordan Sublette explains why onshoring is joining offshore hiring strategies for accounting firms.

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Chapters

(00:00) - Ethics And Job Security
(00:18) - Show Intro And Headlines
(02:34) - Livestream Shoutouts
(03:03) - Claude CoWork Tax Prep
(06:54) - AI Catches TaxAct Errors
(11:26) - Accrual Buys Puzzle
(18:19) - EY Human Skills Bonuses
(20:33) - Deloitte DEI Settlement
(27:43) - Salaries And Big Four Fallout
(31:22) - PwC Evergrande Liability
(35:03) - Grant Thornton Buys CBIZ
(36:25) - CBIZ Returns Reality Check
(37:23) - Marcum Deal And Partner Payouts
(38:34) - IRS Revenue Hits Record
(40:50) - Chat Reactions And AI Ledgers
(44:03) - AI Cost Seg Pitfalls
(53:00) - Jordan Joins And Origin Story
(55:06) - Jason Staats Partnership Explained
(59:37) - Onshoring Portal And Pricing
(01:04:58) - Candidate Vetting And Training
(01:09:37) - Meetups And CPE Wrap Up

Show Notes

Accrual to Acquire Puzzle to Expand Into Client Accounting Services

https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/09/02/accrual-takes-the-leap-into-cas-by-acquiring-puzzle/189565/

EY Rewards Employees' Human Skills With $100M

https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/ey-rewards-employees-human-skills-with-100m

Deloitte to Pay $21.5M to Settle Claims Its DEI Programs Violated Federal Civil Rights Law

https://www.cfo.com/news/deloitte-to-pay-215m-to-settle-claims-its-dei-programs-violated-federal-c/828948/

Accounting Firm Salaries Rose Slightly This Year

https://www.cfobrew.com/stories/accounting-firm-salaries-rose-slightly-this-year

KPMG Australia to Axe 5% of Workforce

https://www.cfo.com/news/kpmg-australia-to-axe-5-of-workforce-John-Sams/828636/

PwC International Can't Exit Evergrande Case, HK Court Rules

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-26/pwc-international-can-t-exit-evergrande-case-hk-court-rules

CBIZ Told Grant Thornton No, No, No, Before Saying Yes

https://cpatrendlines.com/2026/09/01/cbiz-told-grant-thornton-no-no-no-before-saying-yes/

IRS Enforcement Activity Fell Despite Record Tax Collections, TIGTA Says

https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2026/aug/irs-enforcement-activity-fell-despite-record-tax-collections-tigta-says/

Cost Segregation in the Age of AI: What the IRS Audit Technique Guidelines Reveal

https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/cost-segregation-in-the-age-of-ai-what-the-irs-audit-technique-guidelines-reveal

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Transcripts

Th...

EY to Bonus Staff $100M, Deloitte Pays $21M to Settle DEI Case

The Accounting Podcast

EY to Bonus Staff $100M, Deloitte Pays $21M to Settle DEI Case